Malpractice by Lambeth Police could have left them ill-equipped to handle investigations into deaths in custody or allegations of police brutality, a report is expected to find.

An inspection of Brixton police station by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) last Monday found tapes used to record footage from CCTV cameras in custody suites were not being replaced correctly, according to a police source.

Old tapes were being used for too long, meaning footage stored on them could have had poor images and distorted sound, the source said.

This could have jeopardised any Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation into a death in custody, or accusation of police intimidation of prisoners, it is alleged.

The source said: “The failure to properly maintain the tapes went against procedure. It could have left the police in an extremely damaging position that allegations against them, or a death or injury in custody, could not have been investigated properly because of the quality of the tapes.”

Senior officers in Lambeth are understood to have been furious at the lapse.

It is understood other failings were also uncovered at the police station during the inspection by the police watchdog.

A HMIC spokeswoman confirmed an inspection had taken place, but would not comment directly on its findings until publication in approximately 12 weeks.

A spokeswoman for Lambeth Police said it could not comment on any findings from the inspection until the contents of the report are known.

CCTV was introduced in custody suites as a result of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, which demanded safeguards be provided for the detention of suspects.

Do you have an opinion on this story? Leave a comment at streathamguardian.co.uk